Automatic starting system and mechanism



May 22, 1934. G. A. GILLEN AUTOMATIC STARTING SYSTEM AND MECHANISM Filed Jan. 25, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet J E 1. 2:1 P 90fge Q 61 7/60.

May 22, 1934. A, GILLEN 1,959,861

AUTOMATIC STARTING SYSTEM AND MECHANISM Filed Jan. 25, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 54 INSDLATI 4 EF /LIF 61901199 Q 0:27am.

y 22, 1934- G. A. GILLEN 1,959,861

AUTOMATIC STARTING SYSTEM AND MECHANISM Filed Jan. 25, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IQH7 w is Georye Q. 627/ 72.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC STARTING SYSTEM AND MECHANISM George A. Gillen, North Chicago, 111., assignor to Oakes Products Corporation, North Chicago, 111., a corporation of Michigan Application January 25, 1932, Serial No. 588,727 14 Claims. (Cl. 290-37) My invention relates to an improved starting able and held in proper alignment by tongues 14 system and mechanism for hydrocarbon engines extending from the edges thereof into slots 15 in which the starting motor is automatically provided in the side and bottom walls of the switched into circuit when the ignition switch is casing.

closed and is automatically disconnected from The switch elements are located in the com- 0 circuit when the engine has been properly started, part'ment 11. The movable switch member comand is automatically reconnected in circuit to prises a rectangular body which may be formed restart the engine in case the engine should acby upper and lower halves or blocks 16 and-16 cidentally stop. of suitable insulating material having the op- An important object-of the invention is to proposed rectangular recesses 17 and 17 forming a 5 vide improved electromagnetic switching means guideway for the switch blade member 18. The controlled upon closure of the ignition circuit to halves 16 and 16' may be secured together by close the circuit for the engine starting motor, screws 19. Instead of forming the switch body together with electromagnetic means automatiof the two halves it could be made integral. The

cally controlled to cause positive opening of the switch blade member 18 is freely slidable longi- 7 switch and opening of the starting circuit as tudinally in the channels 17, 17' and its ends soon as the engine has been started and is run- 20 and 20 are deflected in opposite directions to i form terminals or contact engaging tongues.

A further object is to provide governor means The movable switch block is adapted for rota- 20 in the form of a centrifugal mercury switch contional or oscillating movement and on one side 75 nected to be driven either directly or indirectly it has secured thereto a trunnion 21 having bearby the engine and operable to control the ening in a bracket 22 secured to the partition wall ergizing circuit for the electromagnetic switch 13. On the opposite side of the block and in for starting of the engine and to automatically alignment with the trunnion 2i apin 23 is secured open such circuit after the engine has been startto the block and extends therefrom through an ed and is running at working speed. opening 24 in the back wall of the casing and has A further object is to provide auxiliary switch its outer end provided with a head 25 so that means operated by the movement of the electhe switch block may be manually oscillated.

tromagnetic starting circuit controlling switch At opposite sides of the casing and in the path 30 for controlling the operation of the electroof the switch blade ends 20 and-20 are the termig5 magnetic means for positively reopening the startnal or' contact members 26 and 2'7, these meming switch when the engine has been started. bers being shown as of V S ape and ormed of The above enumerated and other features of sheet metal with their inner legs exposed for conthe invention are incorporated inthe structure tact engagement by the switch blade ends. The

disclosed on the drawings, in which drawings terminal 26 has a post 28 extending therefrom 90 Fgure 1 is a more or less diagrammatic view through the adjacent side wall of the casing, the of the apparatus and circuit of the system; post receiving a nut 29 by means of which the Figure 2 is a plan view of the rear side of the terminal is rigidly secured to the casing wall, and electromagnetic switch structure; a nut 30, between which nuts a circuit conductor Figure 3 is a plan view of the front side; may be secured, the post and terminal being pref- 95 Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross section of the erably insulated from the casing by suitable inmovable switch member; sulation 31. The other terminal 2'7 has a post Figure 5 is a section on plane 5-5 of Figure 2 32 extending therefrom with the nuts 33 and 34 showing the auxiliary switch structure; thereon for securing the terminal and for re- Figure 6 is a section on plane 6-6 of Figure 5; ceiving a circuit conductor, and a bracket 35 100 and may be secured on the stem between the nut 33 Figure 7 is a plan view diagrammatically showand the casing wall, by means of which bracket ing the circuit connections withn the switch the casing may be supported for service. The structure housing. terminal is insulated from the casing as by means Describing first the electromagnetic and auxof insulation 36. Upon oscillation of the switch 105 iliary switch mechanisms, this is all enclosed block 16 in one direction the switch blade ends within a casing or box 10 which may be of metal will engage with the terminals to electrically c and of rectangular shape as shown. The casnect the terminals, and the angle 01 the switch ing is divided into the compartments 11 and 12 blade ends 10 is such that they will intimately by a cross wall or partition 13 which is detachengage the terminals over a considerable area. 1 0

As the blade is free to slide longitudinally in the block it can readily align itself for proper electrical engagement of its ends with the terminals and with uniform pressure so that a good contact is made.

The electromagnetic control of the movable switch element is performed by electromagnet structures A and B mounted in the compartment 12 of the casing 10. These electromagnet structures are of similar construction, each comprising a tubular shell 3'7 of non-magnetic material supporting at its ends insulating washers or discs 38 and 39 between which a winding is applied to the shell. The electromagnet structure A has the winding 40 and the structure B has the winding 41. At their upper ends the shells 37 of the electromagnet structures extend through openings 42 in the partition wall 13 and in the lower end of each shell is secured a stationary core 43 of magnetic material, a screw 44 extending through the end wall of the casing and threading into the core so that by means of these screws the magnet structures are held in position at their lower ends, the upper ends of the structures being held in position bythe engagement of the shells in the openings 42 of the partition.

Each electromagnet structure has a movable core or armature 45 which is cylindrical and slidable in the respective tubular shell. Secured to the underside of the switch box 16 is a bracket 46 having cars 47 at oneend between which is pivoted one end of a link 48 whose other end has pivotal connection with the upper end of the armature of the electromagnet structure A. At its otherend the bracket 46 has ears 49 pivoting the upper end of a link 50 which at its lower end is pivoted to the upper end of the armature for the electromagnet structure B. With this arrangement, when the electromagnet A is energized its armature will be drawn into the shell toward the stationary core 43 and the switch block will be rotated to engage its switch blade with the terminals 26 and 27. Upon deenergization of the electromagnet structure A and energization of the electromagnet structure B the armature of the structure B will be drawn in and the switch block will be rotated to disengage its switch blade from the terminals.

In order to assist in holding the partition wall 13 in position within the casing it may be provided with a tongue 51 at its lower edge which is threaded to receive a fastening screw 52 extending through the bottom wall of the casing.

Describing now the auxiliary switch mechanism for controlling the energizing circuit of the electromagnet structure B, this switch mechanism is controlled by the movement of the switch body 16. The auxiliary switch mechanism may be secured to the wall of the casing 10 adjacent to the switch member 16 and as shown comprises a switch blade 53 and terminal contacts54 and 55. The switch blade and contact are supported within an enclosing structure 56 of insulating material which structure provides the longitudinal channel 57 at the opposite ends of which the terminals 54 and 55 are secured. The movable switch blade 53 is shiftable back and forth in the channel for cooperation with the terminals to close or open an electrical circuit connected therewith.

In the arrangement shown in Figures 2 and 5 a segmental gear 58 is pivoted, on a stud 59 extending from the frame 56 and above its pivot support the gear sector has a pin 60 extending therefrom and projecting through the front wall of the frame 56 to connect with the switch blade 53, so that when the gear is rotated the blade will be longitudinally shifted in the channel 57.

Above the gear segment 58 a gear segment 61 is pivoted on the frame 56 by a stud 62 this gear segment meshing with the gear segment 58 and having an outwardly extending arm 63 having the slot 64 in which engages the end of an arm 65 extending from the switch block member 16, so that as the block 16 is swung the gear sectors will be rotated and the switch blade 53 will be shifted laterally. To insulate the arm 65 from the gear sectors its end may have a sleeve 66 thereon of insulating material.

The bottom wall of the casing 10 supports two terminal posts 67 and 68, the contact 54 of the auxiliary switch mechanism being connected by a conductor 69 with the terminal post 68, the terminal post 67 being connected with one terminal of the electromagnet structure A whose other terminal is connected with a terminal 70 which is in electrical engagement with the casing 10 and is therefore grounded. The auxiliary switch terminal 55 is connected by conductor 71 with one terminal of the winding of the electromagnet structure B whose other terminal is connected with the ground connection 70.

A spring 72 is anchored at its end to the gear sectors 58 and 61 by pins 73 and 74 extending from the sectors, this spring, after its axis passes through a neutral line'extending through the sector fulcrum point, tending to rapidly continue the movement of the switch parts in the direction in which they have been started and to cause more or less of a snap action of the switch movable members.

Figure 1 diagrammatically shows electromagnetic switch mechanism and inclusion in the starting system. In this system 75 represents the battery of an automotive vehicle and 76 represents the switch blade of the ignition switch for which contacts '77, '78, and 79 are provided. The contacts 78 and '79 connect with one terminal of the primary winding of an ignition coil, the other terminal of the winding being connected with ground. The switch blade is-shown of V shape and when its ends connect with the.contacts 77 and 78 the ignition circuit is closed and the system is ready for automatic starting. A further movement of the switch blade will con nect it only with the contact 79 so that the ignition coil is connected for operation but not the starting system.

A circuit conductor 81 extends from the switch contact 77 to the terminal-post 67 of the electromagnetic switch structure which terminal is connectedwith one end of the winding 40 of the electromagnet structure A whose other end connects with ground at 70, one terminal of the battery 75 being grounded and the other terminal thereof connected with the switch blade 76 so that-when the switch blade is connected with the contacts 77 and 78 the electromagnet structure A will be energized and the switch block 16 will be swung by the magnet core 45 to bring its switch blade 18 into engagement with the terminals 26 and 27. The terminal 26 is connected by conductor 82 with the battery 75 and the terminal 27 is connected by a conductor 83 with one terminal of the engine starting motor 84 whose other terminal is connected with ground, so that upon closure of the electromagnet switch. the starting motor 84 will be connected to receive current from the battery and to operate to rotate the engine for starting thereof.

The auxiliary switch which controls the circuit for the electromagnet structure B and which is linked to the main switch member 16 is closed when the starting controlling switch 16 is closed. The switch blade 53 is always in engagement with the contact 54 but is disconnected from the contact 55 when the starting switch 16 is open. When the starting switch is closed by energization of the electromagnet structure A the linkage causes the auxiliary switch blade 53 to be shifted toward the contact 55 so that toward the end of the throw of the switch 16 to closing position the blade 53 will span the contacts 54 and 55 to close the circuit for the electromagnet structure B. The purpose of the electromagnet structure B is to quickly and positively open the starting controlling switch when the engine E has been started so as to permit release of the starting motor from gearing engagement with the engine. To control the energization of the electromagnet structure B the generator 85 of the vehicle may be utilized, one terminal of the generator being grounded and the other terminal being connected by conductor 86 with the terminal 68 for the electromagnetic switch structure which terminal is connected by the conductor 69 with the contact 54 of the auxiliary switch whose other contact 55 is connected by a conductor 71 with the winding of the electromagnet structure B. During the comparatively slow rotation of the engine by the starting motor 84, the generator 85 will be. driven by the engine at such slow speed that current flow if any delivered by the generator will be insuflicient to operatively energize the electromagnet structure B so that the starting switch will be held closed by the electromagnet structure A untile the engine has been properly started and is running at operating speed. After such starting of the engine and correspondingly increased speed of the generator 85, the generator will generate sufiicient current flow for operation of the electromagnetic structure B, the current flowing from the generator through the auxiliary switch and through the winding 41 to ground. The movable switch member 16 will now be swung in the opposite direction by the attraction of the core 45 of the electromagnet structure B and the starting circuit will be opened and such opening movement causes movement of the blade 53 of the auxiliary switch which eventually leaves the contact 55 to open the circuit for the electromagnet structure B after the starting switch has been practically fully opened. As the spring '72 between the gear sectors 58 and 61 passes through its neutral line the movement of the switch blade 53 will be hastened and quick opening thereof will result.

I have shown governor mechanism G included in the energizing circuit 81 for the electromagnet structure A, which governor mechanism comprises switch means for keeping the energizing circuit closed during the time that the starting motor is starting the engine but which automatically opens the circuit for deenergiza-tion of the electromagnet structure as soon as the engine has been started and has acquired operating speed. This governor mechanism also operates automatically to delay reclosure of the circuit until the engine has substantially come to rest so that upon reclosing of the starting circuit the engine will be at rest before the starting motor is coupled thereto.

The governor structure shown comprises a cylindrical housing body 87 and a cover 88, from which cover a stub shaft 89 extends for hearing engagement in a suitable support 90, the stub shaft mounting a pulley 91 by means of which the governor may be rotated. The governor may be supported so that the pulley 91 may be in contact with the belt 101 which drives the fan 102, or the governor may be connected for driving by any other connection driven by the engine.

Mounted in the bottom wall of the governor housing 87 at the axis thereof is a contact 92 and secured in the wall concentric with this contact is an annular contact member 93. A brush 94 engages the outer surface of the inner contact 92 and a brush 95 engages the outer surface of the annular contact 93, these brushes being serially included in the energizing circuit 81 for the electromagnet structure A. The medium for controlling the electrical connection of the contact is preferably fluid material such as mercury 96 contained within the governor housing. When the engine and consequently the governor is at rest, the mercury will contact with the inner ends of both contacts to close at that point the energizing circuit 81 so that when the ignition switch is engaged with the contact '77 the energizing circuit will be completely closed. During the slow movement of the governor while the engine is being rotated by the starting motor the mercury will remain in engagement with the contacts to keep the energizing circuit closed, but as soon as the engine has been started and is running at operating speed, centrifugal force will cause disengagement of the mercury from the inner contact 92 and the energizing circuit 81 will be opened so that the electromagnet structure B will be free to open the starting switch to cause disconnection of the starting motor.

A transverse partition plate 97 divides the interior of the housing 87 into an inner chamber 98 and an outer chamber 99. The inner chamber 98 is concave with its apex at the contact 92, and in line with the outer edge of the chamber 98 the partition 97 has a series of ports 100 which aremore or less restricted. The outer chamber 99 extends preferably beyond these ports and may be cylindrical as shown. With this arrangement, as the engine suddenly starts with speed after it has been started by the starting motor, centrifugal action will cause the mercury to flow radially outwardly and along the inclined wall of the inner chamber 98 and through the ports 100 into the outer chamber 99 where it can flow to the greatest distance away from the axis of the governor, and movement of the mercury away from the inner contact 92 will cause opening of the energizingcircuit 81. While the engine is running the governor will keep the energizing circuit open, but if the ignition switch is opened, or if the proper gas supply should fail or if for any other reason the engine cannot operate, the engine will come to a stop. As the engine slows down its speed the governor speed correspondingly diminishes and likewise the centrifugal action on the mercury, and the mercury will tend to resume its normal position in the governor housing, but to do this the mercury accumulated in the outer chamber 99 must flow back to the inner chamber through the restricted ports 100 before it can again come into engagement with the inner contact 92. This drag or delay of the mercury flow back to normal position within the governor housing insures holding open of the energizing circuit 81 until the engine has come to rest or is substantially so in order that the starting motor will not be injured when recoupled with the engine for restarting thereof when the energizing circuit 81 is reclosed. Thus, should the engine accidentally stop unbeknown to the driver, the governor will automatically reclose the energizing circuit for the electromagnet structure A and the starting switch will be reclosed for restarting operation of the starting motor and as soon as the engine has been restarted and the generator 85 brought to operating speed, the electromagnet structure B will operate to reopen the starting switch and also to reopen the auxiliary switch 53 which was closed when the starting switch was moved to closed position.

The manual control 25 on the casing 10 for the electromagnetic switch structure is provided for use by repairmen or for testing purposes so that the starting circuit may be closed or opened independently of the ignition switch or governor structure.

I have shown a practical and efficient embodiment of the! various features of my invention but I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction, arrangement, and operation as changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as outlined in the appended claims.

I claim as follows:

1. In combination with an automotive engine of a starting circuit including a starting motor adapted for driving connection with the engine, a switch for controlling said starting circuit, an electromagnet for closing said switch and a circuit for said electromagnet, means controlled by the engine adapted to close said circuit when said engine is at rest or during the starting thereof by said starting motor and to open said circuit when said engine has been started, and a second electromagnet for positively opening said switch when said engine has been started.

2. The combination with an automotive engine of a starting circuit including a starting motor adapted for driving connection with the engine, a switch for controlling said starting circuit, an electromagnet operable to close said switch, a governor switch under control of said engine, said governor switch closing the circuit for said electromagnet when said engine is at rest andopening said electromagnet circuit when the engine is running, a second electromagnet operable to open said starting circuit switch, an energizing circuit for said second electromagnet, and means supplying current flow to said second electromagnet energizing circuit only after the engine has been started and the energizing circuit for said first mentioned electromagnet has been opened.

3. In combination with an automotive engine, a starting circuit including a starting motor adapted for starting connection with the engine, a switch for controlling said starting circuit, an electromagnet operable to close said starting circuit switch, an energizing circuit for said electromagnet, agovernor switch operable to close said energizing circuit when the engine is at rest or during the starting thereof by the starting motor and to open the energizing circuit when the engine is running, a second electromagnet operable to positively open said starting circuit switch when said switch is released by said first mentioned electromagnet, an energizing circuit for said second mentioned electromagnet, an auxiliary switch connected to be closed and opened with the closure and opening of said starting circuit controlling switch and included in the energizing circuit for said second mentioned 'electromagnet, and means operative to supply operative current flow to the energizing circuit for said second electromagnet only when said engine is running.

4. The combination with an automotive engine of a starting circuit including a starting motor adapted foif driving connection with the engine, a switch for controlling said starting circuit, a main electromagnet for closing said switch, an auxiliary electromagnet for positively opening said switch, energizing circuits for said electromagnets, and a separate source of current for each of said energizing circuits.

5. The combination with an automotive engine, of a starting circuit including a starting motor adapted for driving connection with the engine, a main switch for controlling said starting circuit, a main electromagnet for closing said switch, an auxiliary electromagnet for positively opening said switch, energizing circuits for said electromagnets, and an auxiliary switch controlled by said main switch to control the circuit for said auxiliary electromagnet.

6. The combination with an automotive engine, of a starting circuit including a starting motor adapted for driving connection with said engine, a switch for controlling said starting circuit, an electromagnet for closing said switch and a second electromagnet for opening said switch, energizing circuits for said electromagnets, means for closing the circuit for said opening electromagnet only when said engine is at rest or is being started, and means for closing the circuit for said opening electromagnet only after the circuit for said closing electromagnet has been opened.

'7.'The combination with an automotive engine, of a starting circuit including a starting motor adapted for driving connection with said engine, a switch for controlling said starting circuit, an electromagnet for closing said switch and a second electromagnet for positively opening said switch, energizing circuits for said electromagnets. means for closing the circuit for said switch closing electromagnet, and means efiective only after starting of the engine for supplying current for the circuit of said switch opening electromagnet.

8. The combination with an automotive engine, of a starting circuit including a starting motor adapted for driving connection with the engine, a switch for controlling said starting circuit, an electromagnet for closing said switch, a second electromagnet for positively opening said switch, energizing circuits for said electromagnet, means for controlling the circuit for said closing electromagnet, and means controlled by the running of the engine for supplying current flow for energization of said switch opening electromagnet for positive opening thereby of said switch after the circuit for said closing electromagnet has been opened.

9. The combination with an automotive engine, of a starting circuit including a starting motor adapted for starting connection with the engine, a switch for controlling said starting circuit, anelectromagnet for closing said switchand an energizing circuit for said electromagnet, means for opening. and closing said energizing circuit, a second electromagnet operable to positively open said starting circuit switch when said switch is released by said first mentioned electromagnet, an energizing circuit for said second electromagnet, an auxiliary switch connected to be closed and opened with the closure and opening of said starting circuit controlling switch and included in the energizing circuit for said second electromagnet, and means effective only after starting of the engine for controlling current flow for the energizing circuit of said second electromagnet.

10. The combination with an automotive engine, of a starting circuit including a starting motor adapted for driving connection with the engine, a switch for controlling said starting circuit, a first electromagnet for closing said starting switch, an energizing circuit for said first electromagnet and means for opening and closing said circuit, a second electromagnet and an energizing circuit therefor, an auxiliary switch in the energizing circuit for said second electromagnet connected to be closed and opened with the closure and opening of said starting circuit switch, and connections whereby energization of said second electromagnet will cause opening of both switches when the circuit for the first electromagnet is opened.

11. The combination with an automotive engine, of a starting circuit including a starting motor for the engine, a switch for controlling said starting circuit, a first electromagnet for closing said switch, an energizing circuit for said first electromagnet and means for closing said circuit, a second electromagnet for positively opening said switch, and an energizing circuit for said second electromagnet operable for energization of said second electromagnet after the engine has been started and the circuit for said first electromagnet has been opened.

12. The combination with an automotive engine, of a starting circuit including a starting motor for the engine, a switch for controlling said starting circuit, a first electromagnet for closing said switch and a second electromagnet for positively opening said switch, means for causing operation of the first electromagnet, and means for automatically causing operation of the second electromagnet after the engine has been started.

13. The combination with an automotive engine, of a starting circuit including a starting motor for the engine, a switch for said circuit, a first electromagnet controllable to close said switch for starting of the engine, and a second electromagnet controllable to positively open said switch after the engine has been started.

14. The combination with an automotive engine, of a starting circuit including a starting motor for the engine, a switch for said circuit, electromagnet means controllable to directly move said switch to closed position for starting of the engine, and additional electromagnetic means controllable to directly and positively move said switch to open position.

. GEORGE A. GILLEN. 

